Dog Welder:According so some restaurants down in Florida and throughout the Caribbean, they're apparently delicious when pan seared in some lemon juice, so I assume this problem will eventually correct itself.

It already has in a few spots. A number of dive shops in the Caribbean set up restaurants right next door, with chefs trained to filet and cook lionfish (the poison spines make that problematic without the right gloves and such).

My uncle got stung by one a few decades ago while working at my mothers aquarium store. Had to call poison control in Hawaii. He was out of commission for days. Theres a reason no predators fark with these bastards.

I kept one as a pet for years, he died about a year ago. Beautiful, and quite a personality. He would actually show off for guests, fanning his fins out and following people's movements. He would stalk and eat the cleaning crew, which was frustrating, but I must say, these creatures are smart and interesting, one of the coolest pets I ever had.

Having shot a dozen in the last month alone, they are a huge problem in south Florida. I shoot em all sizes, even too small to eat. A net and a dive knife for the tiny ones. Excellent sashimi as well. Sushi place at the lantana boat docks has them when the local captains do.